Masisi 'raps' opposition MPs over strike

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Monday April 18, 2011 00:00

 

He was responding to a question by South East Central MP, Odirile Motlhale who had asked what interventions government has drawn up to minimise service disruption should the planned strike by public sector workers go ahead.  Masisi said the strike is legal and government is in discussions with the unions to finalise the strike rules, which will determine how services are rendered during the walkout.  He stated that government would make sure that in the event that there is disagreements over strike rules the mediator, who is empowered by the law, would help generate and finalise those rules which shall be binding on both parties.

'We are going to ensure that as always we protect the rights of those who wish to strike. We here in government are the protected and that is why some of you are as healthy as you are and as free as you are,' Masisi said. 

'We are also protectors for those who wish not to engage in the strike. Essential services, in terms of ensuring that those are maintained, ensuring that government continues and services are delivered are part and parcel of what is negotiated in the rules. The outcome will be informed by the principal to ensure that everything continues with as minimal disruption as possible.

'I wish to assure this House that government has been working around the clock to ensure that is so. With respect to the rules of the strike, MPs must assure constituents that essential services will be available. The rules of the strike will be shared with all so that leaders can pass the message on to their constituents,' he said after which MPs asked supplementary questions leading to a question and answer session below:-

Gaborone Central MP Dumelang Saleshando: - 'I want the minister to explain now that without a strike, it is difficult to deliver services as collection of rubbish in the city and does he think our constituents will believe us if we tell them everything will run smoothly during the strike?

If they offered the two percent with conditions and come with the five percent still with conditions, did they honestly think the workers would agree to that?

Masisi: Part of the negotiation process and bargaining of the affordability and otherwise of awarding an increase has been predicated upon the discussions the issue of efficiency and the size of the public service. Issues of inefficiency such as collection of rubbish have been with us for a while but have nothing to do with strike. I did not say services will be normal but there will be minimal disruptions.  The issue of conditionality, we went back because we are convinced that was a non-issue in terms of determination to refuse to negotiate. We are trying to make the unions look at objective realities.

How do you go about awarding money that is not there? Only an irresponsible government like the one you wish to form would do that.

Chobe Legislator Nshinngwe: Is the strike legal or illegal? If the past offers were with conditions does government want to say that the negotiations were in good faith or not?

Masisi: The strike is perfectly legal and will be governed by the law and rules as established. It was negotiated in good faith. We revealed all and there is no better faith. It is bad faith to allege what you do not have.

Gaborone South MP Botsalo Ntuane: What percentage of the unionised workforce constitutes essential services?

Masisi: I do not have the figures before me but I can promise to get them for you honourable members.

Motlhale: The minister is accusing the unions of not having acted in good faith because they went out and spoke about the negotiations before they were finalised. What does he make of the statements made by the President during the same period if it does not amount to the same thing?

Masisi: Yes the unions are negotiating in bad faith, very bad faith. When you go out and you have a process established and there are rules governing it, you have to respect that.

It is fundamentally different from what the President said in response to a question asked in a Kgotla meeting.  He was saying nothing about the negotiations.

The VDC members at that meeting asked that their allowance be increased and the President said we cannot do it, we cannot increase allowances, that is his presidential response, honourable and responsible.